In a previous post (The Eclipse of Reason and Growing Religious Intolerance / October 29) I highlighted the growing influence of religious extremists on Facebook after the social network administration banned a decent picture of Dana Bakdounes, posted on the page of The Uprising of Women in the Arab World that was reported to be “insulting” by some religious extremists. Once the Facebook administration responded to the report it was clear that religious extremists, reactionists and anti-feminists found the point of maximum vulnerability and targeted it to suppress the Facebook based movement. (more…)

When the west started backing Islamic resistance against the Soviets in Afghanistan nobody knew that it is helping roll the clock centuries back to reestablish a medieval-like societies and mentalities in different parts of the world. Since then, the influence of extremists in Islamic states and even in the west itself has grown much bigger. The long bearded genie, in short worn-out thobe, with an exploding belt on his waist is set free. Jihadists and Salafis around the world turned their back to “foreign enemies” and started the battle to subdue their own nations.

Some events that took place last month are worth notice:

In Pakistan, Taliban shot the 14 year old activist Malala Yousafzai in head and nearly killed her on the background of her supporting the right of girls in education. Taliban has banned girls from attending school. Malala received treatment in UK and is back home despite the continuous threat. “If Malala survives, we will target her again,” says Taliban.